Japanese history - The Meiji Restoration Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Japanese history - The Meiji Restoration - show ExampleThese Samurai were motivated by the current state of the country including threat of encroachment from foreigners and emergent municipal problems. They adopted the fukoku-kyohei slogan (Wealthy country and strong arms) and pursued after creating a nation-state that could offer equal among the Western powers. The new presidency, as deduced from the 1868 Charter Oath, sought to dismantle the aged feudal politics (Devine, 51).In mid-1870s, restoration leaders, acting under the Emperors name, faced such steep impedance in carrying out the restoration changes. Saig Takamori lead the famous disgruntled samurai in rebelling against the government which were later, with great difficulty, quash by the formed army and in 1880s, peasants who had grown distrustful of the newly formed regiment, joined in the revolts bringing it to its peak. This turmoil was halfway dissolved by s call from a Rights movement that was gaining popularity although it was primarily influenced by liberal western ideas. They advocated the governance of a musical compositionally-based government with deliberative assemblies (Devine, 54). In 1881, the government responded by issuing a statement that promised a constitution by year 1890 and in 1886, constitution formation started after the formation of a cabinet system in 1885. By year 1889, a constitution was promulgated to the people as a gift from MeijiSocial and economic changes were concurrent with the political changes that were already taking place during this era. Agriculture was the primary drive for the economy of Japan (Schirokauer, Lurie, and Gay). However, the Meiji government was working towards industrialisation and hence directed developments in communications, transportation and strategic industries. Railroads were built, telegraphs linking all the main cities and private sectors received government support thru funds and European-like banking system. They relied on and heavily promoted western technology and